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F 461 
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FEB 2- 1900 



PUBLICATIONS 



MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 



SAI^T LOUIS 



N^o. lY. 



cUIENDED CHARTER AND BY-LAWS. 



18 80. 






MISSOURI 



HISTORICAL SOCIETY 



SAINT LOUIS. 



AMENDED CHARTER AND BY-LAWS. 



1880 



I'OUXDED A. D. 1866. 



ST. LOUIS: 

G. I. JONES & CO., PitiNiKRs. 

1 8 S 0. 






^'s^^ 

r^' 



THE MlSi^OlTRl HISTORICAL SOCIETY WAS CHAK- 
TERED A. D. 18f)6. 





r RESIDENTS: 


• 


Hon. JAME8 II. Lucas 


y; ; : ; : 


18(56-1868 


Nathan Rannev, Esq. 


1869-1872 


Hon. Albert Todd 




1873-1874 


John P.. Johnson, IVI.D. 




1875-1876 


Hon. James G. Bahhv 




1877-1878 


P. L. FOY, ESQ. . 





1878-1880 


Edwin IIariuson, Esq. 




1880- 



C H A K T E K 



or THE 



MLSSOURI IILSTORICAL SOCIETY. 



ARTICLE I. 

TITLE — OBJECTS — MEANS. 

^- Title. This corporation shall be called "Missouri Histori- 
cal Society." It shall be located in the city of St. Louis. It 
shall contuuie for three hundred years. It may acquire and hold 
property to the value of one million dollars. 

2. Object.. It shall have for its objects to institute historical 
enquiry ,n all its branches, including archaeology and ethno- 
graphy, but especially in whatever relates to the State of Mis- 
soun a.u1 the Valley of the Mississippi; and to receive and 
CO lect the evidences and illustrations thereof, of every kind and 
nature, and the same arrange and preserve. 

_ 3. Means. As means to This end, the Society shall hold meet- 
ings, as provided by its By-Laws, for the discussion of subiects 
germane to this charter, and the consideration of any matter 
relative to its duties and interests; and take measures to pro- 
cure original papers on such subjects; and, as often as con- 
venient publish or cause to be published, its transactions, 
Pioceedmgs, and papers, or works, of historical, arch^ological 
and ethnographical value that may come under its control. ' 

It shall establish and maintain, in a safe depository, a perma- 
nent museum. 

X^l^ f ''""'' '^^'— P--lence, or .otherwise, in rela- 
tion with other societies in America, and elsewhere. 

(3) 



It sluiU take measures to perpetuate the meiuory of important 
events in American history, and to signalize recurring anniversa- 
ries, more esi)ecially such as relate to the Valley of the Missis- 
sippi. 

ARTICLE II. 

THE MUSEUM. 

4. What It includes. Under the title, "Museum," shall be 
included the library, cabinets, archaeological and ethnographic 
collections, archives, manuscripts, and curiosities; in a word, 
the entire collection of objects, of whatever kind, belonging to 
the Society or deposited with it. 

5. Limitations. All personal property falling to the Society, 
whether by gift or otherwise, shall be taken and held subject to 
the proviso and limitation that any object deemed or found to be 
worthless, or not within the purview of section 2, and exact 
duplicates, may be disposed of by exchange or otherwise, if so 
ordered at any meeting. 

The Society shall not accept on deposit, or loan, or as a gift, 
any object whatever, foiy whose loss or injury it may 1)ecome 
pecuniarily responsible. 

(i. Eeading-Boom. A reading-room may be established dis- 
connected witli the museum as such, as in this article defined. 

ARTICLE III. 

MEMBEKSIIIP. 

7. Classes of Members. The Society shall be composed of 
associate members, corresponding, and honorary. Any person 
of good character may be admitted to membership. 

8. Associate Members. The associate members shall constitute 
exclusively the managing body of the Society. 

"J. Non-resident Associate Members. Any person living outside 
the Cit.y of St. Louis may be elected to non-resident associate 
membership. 

Every associate member, not in arrears for dues, who removes 
from St. Louis may at his rccjuest be transfei-i'ed to the class of 



('IIAHTFJ;. 



5 



non-resident {issociate.s without furthei- payments. Also, any 
non-resident of the city who shall further the aims of the society 
by original researches in matters pertaininii; to its objects or by 
arch^Bological explorations, and communicated to it, or by 
important contributions to its museum, in virtue thereof, on the 
recommendation of the Executive Committee, may be elected a 
non-resident associate member, free from all pecuniary liabilit}^ 
to the society. Non-resident associate members shall be entitled 
to the rights and privileges of associate mem))ers at any meeting 
they attend. 

10. Life Associate Members: Any associate member, on tlie 
payment of snch sum as shall be fixed by the By-Laws, may 
become an associate for life ; and thereafter, whilst retaining 
every right already possessed, he shall be exempt from further 
liability to the Society. 

Also, any person who has rendered, by a considerable bene- 
faction, or in other ways, really pecuniarily valuable, or signal, 
services to the Society, may be voted the honor of life member- 
ship on the joint recommendation of the Executive Committee 
and the Committee on Membership; and, in such case, the fact 
shall be stated in his diploma. 

11. Honorarii Members. Any person may be elected an honor 
ary member on the like joint recommendation mentioned in the 
preceding section. 

12. Permanent Members. Any member who shall pay into the 
Treasury the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Dollars, or donate 
real property of an equal value, shall become a Permanent Mem- 
ber, and his name shall be retained on the roll of members as 
long as the Society endures. 

13. Corresponding Members. Any non-resident of St. Louis, 
known to have devoted himself to historical studies, or to such 
objects as this society is established to promote, may be elected 
a corresponding member for life. 

W. Election of Members. Every candidate for associate mem- 
bership shall be proposed in writing, referred to the Committee 
on Membership, and, on their report, ])alloted on at the next 
meeting; but if the candidate be proposed by the Committee 



'» tHAKTKH, 

theuisehes, the vote may be taken at the same sittiiiii. If there 
be three or more candidates for associate membership reported 
at the same time, the formality of a separate ballot on each may 
be dispensed with by unanimous consent. 

Correspondini; members shall be proposed by two members. 
No one shall become a member otherwise than as provided in 
this charter. 

15. Diplomas. Diplomas of membership may be granted to 
life, honorary, corresponding, non-resident associate, and per- 
manent members, but not to associate members. 

ARTICLE IV. 

OKFICEKS. 

I (;. The ()Jfic(^r.s of the Sodctii shall be : 
A President ; 
Three Vice-Presidents ; 
Six Vice-Presidents of Honor: 

A Recording- Secretary, and an assistant if there be need: 
A Corresponding Secretary ; 
A Treasurer: / 

A Keeper of the Museum : 
The Chairman of each Standing Committee; 
each of whom shall hold office until his successor is duly chosen 
and qualified. 

The term of office shall begin at the stated meeting next fol- 
lowing the Annual. 

The President shall be elected biennially ; the Vice Presidents 
and the C'orresponding Secretary, annually. 

The Recording Secretary and his assistant, the Treasurer, and 
the Vice Presidents of Honor shall be appointed annually by 
the President, with the advice and consent of the Executive 
Committee. Such Vice Presidents may be chosen in part or 
altogether from among non-resident associates and correspond- 
ing members. 

Vacancies happening in any elective office shall be filled for the 
unexpired term, unless for good cause, at the stated meeting 
next after the vacancv has been announced. 



CIIAKTEH. < 

All elections for otticers shall be by i^allot, and at a stated 
meeting. No person in arrears for dues shall hold office. 

17. Offices consolidated. The offices of Recording Secretary, 
Treasurer, and other ministerial offices may be united in the 
same person ; also the office of Actuary may be created at a con- 
venient time, and those offices consolidated in the same; but in 
such case the Actuary (or whatever the title by which such offi- 
cer shall be designated) shall be chosen by the officers and the 
Executive Committee. 

18. The President. The President shall be the executive offi- 
cer and head of the Society, and as such shall take precedence 
on all occasions. He shall appoint all committees, officers, 
agents, or employes, where there is no provision to the con- 
trary. He shall be ex officio a member of every committee. 

He shall take care that the rules are observed, the resolutions 
of the meetings carried into effect, and exercise such supervision 
and control over the Society, its officers and appointees, as the 
duties of his office may require. He may suspend any officer 
until the tirst stated meeting thereafter, when the matter with its 
reasons shall be reported to the Society for its decision. In case 
of doubt or dispute as to the proper person to perform any act 
in itself clearly lawful, he shall decide the question ; or, if need 
be, appoint some one to act until a stated meeting, or a meet- 
ing specially convened, shall decide what is proper in the 
premises. In all important matters the President shall consult 
the Executive Committee. 

19. Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents (in the order of 
their election) shall be clothed with the authority and perform 
the duties of the President in his absence ; in the absence of all 
four, the chairman of the Executive Committee shall be ex officio 
acting President. 

20. Vice Presidents of Honor. Vice Presidents of Honor shall 
have the privilege, by courtesy, to preside at extra-urban meet- 
ings, the one residing in or nearest to the town in which the 
meeting is held taking precedence. 

21. The Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary shall 
keep an exact record of the proceedings and transactions of 



8 



( ilAK IMl: 



each meeliiiii', occasional as well as stated: and he shall have 
charge of the book containinii the same, and of the seal. He 
shall warn all inoetings. 

22. Thr Correspondiutj Secrrt'iri/. Tlie ('orres[>on(linii; Secre- 
tary shall conduct the correspondence not otherwise provided 
for. He shall prepare and submit at the Annual Meetinir a yearly 
report. 

2o. T/ii' Trciisiii'rr. The Treasurer shall collect the dues of 
members, and in no case shall he receive more than ten per cent 
for such service: also, other moneys when directed by the Ex- 
ecutive ("onnnittee: he shall deposit all such moneys without 
delay, with the chosen depository, in the name of the Society, to 
the credit of the Fund to which they belong-. He shall not draw 
out any money without the written consent of the F^xecutive 
Committee. 

24. Th('. Keeper of the 3Iut<eum. The Keeper of the Museum 
shall have charge of the Museum, subject to such regulations 
relating to his office as may be lawfully prescribed. He shall be 
appointed by the Executive Connnittee. 

Article v. 

t'OMMITTEES. 

25. jSt<uiih'i)(j C(nninitte<-><. There shall l)e tlie following stand- 
ing conunittees : 

An Executive Connnittee. 

A Committee on Publication and Library. 

A Committee on Membership. 

A Committee on Archaeology. 
Also, for the purpose of promoting more effi'ctually the objects 
of the charter, there may be organized, in the same manner as 
the committee on archfeology, other standing conunittees, if 
there be real need, each under an appropriate title indicative of 
its purpose, to which shall be assigned the especial charge of 
some particular subject not already provided for. 

There shall not be a si)ecial ('ommittee on any matter i>ertinent 
to a standinti committee. 



2(!. Executive Committee. In order that the meetiiiiis may 
be free for the reading of papers, discussions, and the consid- 
eration of matters set forth in this charter, the executive 
business of the Society shall be placed under the care and 
management of an Executive Committee, consisting of three 
members, and one of the Vice Presidents selected by lot. 

They shall solicit and receive donations for the Society ; 
recommend plans for promoting its objects ; digest and prepare 
business requiring its action: authorize the disbursement and 
expenditure of unappropriated moneys in the treasury: control 
the fitting up of the museum, rooms, and building of the society, 
prescribe the regulations governing them, and exercise super- 
vision over them. They shall take care that the property of the 
society is preserved from waste, and properly applied. They 
shall have supervision over the finances, including the selection 
of a depository of the funds, which shall be one of the incor- 
porated banking institutions of the City of St. Louis. They 
shall have the exclusive charge and management of the Special 
Funds. 

No expenditure shall be made, or ordered, unless on their 
report; but, also, notwithstanding these provisions, the Com- 
mittee shall not authorize the disbursement of any money 
contrary to a decision of the Society. 

They shall have the right to displace the Keeper of the Museum 
and the Treasurer. 

27. Committee on Publication. The Committee on Publication 
and Library shall consist of three members. 

They shall superintend the printing and distribution of all 
publications issued by authority of the Society, whether reprints 
or original papers ; and nothing shall be published without 
their approval ; they shall also exercise a general supervision 
over the library department of the Museum, subject to the 
provisions of the preceding section. 

28. Committee on Membership. The Committee on Mem- 
oership shall consist of three members. All nominations for 
membership shall be referred to this committee : their report 
shall set forth the name and address in full of the proposed 



10 



CHAHTEl!. 



member; and, in the case of other tliau an associate member, 
the circumstances that justify an election. 

29. Committee on Archceology. The Connnittee on Archae- 
ology, the scope of whose functions is indicated by their title, 
shall consist of three or more members. 

They shall have special charge, in so far forth as not limited 
by other provisions of this charter and the By-I.aws, of tlie 
archaeological cabinets and collections. 

30. Hoiv Standing Committees are chosen. Previous to, or at, 
the stated meeting next after the Annual, the President shall 
nominate a member of each standing committee ; the person 
appointed shall choose a second member, and these two shall 
select the third ; and if the committee consist of a greater number, 
the three shall select the others ; their names shall be reported 
to the next stated meeting for record. Every committee shall 
organize by electing a chairman. 

ARTICLE VI. 

j MEiyriN(KS. 

31. Stated Meetings. Stated meetings may be held at such 
times (except during the months of July and August) as shall be 
fixed by the By-Laws. Occasional meetings may be convened as 
provided by the By-Laws. 

32. Annual Meeting. One of the stated meetings, as provided 
in the By-Laws, shall be designated the Annual Meeting, at 
which the election of officers, required by this chai-ter, shall be 
held, and the yearly reports given in. 

33. Quorum. At least five members shall be necessary to con- 
stitute a (juorum for the transaction of business, except herein 
otherwise ])rovided ; and ten for the election of officers. 

AKTICLE VII. 



34. Hon:) the Societij is maintained. The support and stal:>ility 
of the Society shall be maintaiued by the dues of its members. 



CHAKTER. 11 

by subscriptions, gifts, and bequests, and any surplus that may 
be produced by the Endowment Fund, or otherwise. 

35. Property vested in the Society as such. No one, in virtue of 
membership, or otherwise, shall have any individual interest in 
the property of the Society, or in its profits, earnings, income, or 
increase ; but the same are declared to be, and shall be, vested in 
the corporation as such, for the objects and purposes set forth in 
this charter; and the Society elects to adopt section 981, of Ar- 
ticle X., Chapter 21, Revised Statutes of Missouri of 1879, 
"Benevolent, Religious, Scientific, Educational, and Miscellane- 
ous Associations," by incorporating the same herein as follows : 

Sect. 981. Any association or society formed for educational 
purposes as classified in section 974, and as hereinafter limited, 
located in any city or town, may elect to provide in its articles 
of agreement, by incorijorating this section in such articles and 
in othei- respects conforming them thereto, that such corporation 
shall l)e, in all that relates to its property and all such it may 
acquire, a quasi trustee for the public, and as such may receive 
and take by deed or devise in its corporate capacity, any prop- 
erty, real and personal, in trust for the uses and purposes for 
which such corporation was formed, and execute any trust so 
created : Provided, That this section shall apply only, and it is 
hereby expressly limited, to such association or society as may 
be formed for the purpose of promoting historical studies or 
natural science, of establishing a museum, library, or an art gal- 
lery, such educational and scientific purposes being chiefiy for 
the advantage of the public where such corporation is located : 
and, provided furthermore, that no corporation in whose charter 
is incorporated this section shall be permitted to amend such 
charter or to take advantage or avail itself of any change in the 
general law, in such way as to affect this section, and such char- 
ter shall be taken as a perpetual contract between such corpora- 
tion and the public. 

It shall not be lawful for such corporation to create or con- 
tract any debt, or pecuniary obligation in the nature of a debt: 
and any attempt to create or contract any such debt or obliga- 
tion shall be ipso facto void. Nor shall any such corporation 



12 



CHAKTKI'v. 



niortga«e, or deed in trust, any of its property, or sell any such 
property, except by way of exchange for property of equal value, 
or for reinvestment. 

If any such corporation dissohe, its property shall be vested 
in the city or town in which such corporation is located, to be 
taken and held for the benefit of the people of such city or town, 
to the same purposes, uses, and trusts as such property was 
held by such corporation. 

Membership in such corporation shall be open to the public, 
under such reasonable rules and regulations as the corporation 
may prescribe in its by-laws. 

Every such corporation shall create and maintain an P^ndow- 
ment Fund, to remain perpetually intact, that means may thereby 
be provided for the stability and support of the corporation ; and 
to this end, all moneys voluntarily contributed as life member- 
ships, and by persons not residents of the locality where such 
corporation is located, who desire to be registered as members, 
and one-fourth of tlie current subscriptions from membership 
shali be set apart, until the moneys derived from these sources, 
together with such as lawfully come into such Endowment Fund 
from other sources, sMll amount in the aggregate to at least 
two hundred thousand dollars. 

Such Endowment Fund may be invested in bonds of the United 
States, or of this State, or of the city or county in which the 
corporation is located, or in loans secured by mortgage on im- 
proved real estate situated in this State, but shall not be invested 
in securities or stock of any private trading or manufacturing 
corporation, or of any railroad company, or on any personal 
security, and the principal thereof shall not l)e encroached upon 
or expended by such corporation for any purpose. 

The Museum, Gallery, and Cabinets of such corporation shall 
be open to the public of this State, under such reasonable regu- 
lations as may from time to time be prescribed, and the contents 
of such Museum, Gallery, or Cabinets, nor any portion thereof, 
shall not be loaned, or taken out for exhi1)ition or other purpose, 
on any pretext whatever. 

Any existing corporation formed for purposes within the pur 



CIIAKTKl.'. 



13 



view of this section (and wliose cliarter is in liannony tlierewitli) 
shall 1)0 empowered to adopt the same as an amendment to such 
charter under the provisions of section 975. 

30. Separation of funds. The propert.v of the Society shall be 
divided into a General Fund and Special Funds. 

The General Fund shall comprise all property whose use or 
application is not limited, but which may be disposed of from 
time to time, as deemed advisable. 

The Special Funds, each to be desi^^'nated by its appropriate 
title, shall include all property whose use or application, or the 
income AVJiereof, by the provisions of this charter, or by the 
terms of its acquisition, or by other cause, is restricted to a 
special object or purpose. Such funds, so far as they consist of 
money, or its convertible representative, shall be deposited, or 
held separately from the General Fund. 

All initiation fees, and all moneys or property received for 
permanent membership, unless the same be limited otherAvise 
by the donor, shall form part of the Endowment Fund. 

37. Assw-ance of good faith. The provisions of this article 
being intended, among other purposes, as an assurance of good 
faith on the part of the Society to all benefactors, the wilful 
violation of any such shall entail personal liability upon every 
person who is a party thereto, or who by liis vote sanctions such 
violation. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

38. Services Voluntary. The Society being a voluntary asso- 
ciation, no officer or member shall receive pay for his ordinary 
services as detined in this charter and in the By-LaAvs ; bnt com- 
pensation may be made to officers, agents, and employes, for 
extraordinary services, when such services have been previously 
ordered, and the compensation fixed by the Executive Committee, 
with the approval of the Society. 

39. All bound by the Begulations . Every person admitted to 
membership, in virtue of such admission and as a condition 



14 CHAIM'ER. 

thereof, shall be boimcl by this charter and the By-Laws made 
in pursuance thereof, as long as he remains a member. 

40. Eespecting proceedings required to take place on a certain 
day. Elections, appointments, and other proceedings required 
to take place on a designated day, l)nt which, from any cause, do 
not take place, shall be in order at the adjourned meeting, if 
such be held, or at the stated meeting next following, or there- 
after, until the requirement is fulfilled. 

ARTICLK IX. 

AMENDMEN IS. 

41 . No alteration shall be made in this charter unless the pro- 
posed amendment be submitted in writing, signed by at least 
three members, read and recorded in the proceedings, referred 
to the Executive Committee, reported back and voted on at a 
stated meeting thereafter, and adopted by the votes of at least ten 
associate members, such vote being by ayes and noes, and entered 
in the proceedings ; but in no event shall sections numbered 
five, thirty-five, and ^lirty-six be amended so as to impair or 
diminish their binding force as therein set forth. 

42. Parties to this Charter. All persons who have paid their 
dues to the Missouri Historical Society, as shown by the Treas- 
urer's books, to the l)eginning of the year 1.S7V), and who have 
not since resigned, shall be parties to this charter; but none 
others. 



BY-LAWS. 



STATED MEETINGS. 

43. Stated meetings shall be held on the third Thursday of every 
month, unless another regular recurring day be agreed upon. 
The order of proceedings shall be as follows : — 

1. Reading the record of the proceedings at the previous 
meeting, which, when approved, shall be signed by the presiding 
officer and attested by the Secretary. 

2. Report of the Recording Secretary and of the Correspond- 
ing Secretary. 

3. Report of the Executive Committee. 

4. Donations. 

5. Written communications, and discussion thereon. 

6. Verbal communications, and discussion thereon. 

7. Report of Committee on Membership: ballot on candidates 
reported; proposals for membership. 

8. Reports of other committees. 

9. New business. 

10. Adjournment. 

But if there be need, a special order may be prescribed for an 
extraordinary occasion. 

At the Annual Meeting, the reading of the yearl.y reports, the 
election of officers, and other things required to be done on 
that day, shall have precedence over all other business. 

All propositions, except to adjourn, shall be in writing, and 
signed; no report not in writing shall be received. 

The President shall call the meeting to order when the ap- 
pointed time arrives : if there be no officer present authorized, 
ex officio, to preside, the meeting shall come to order on a motion 
naming some associate member in attendance Chairman pro tern. 

(15) 



16 



BY-LAWS. 



Meetings, stated and occasional, may be lield in other places 
than the City of St. Lonis. 

HKLATING TO THE PRESIDENT. 

ii. The President may call occasional meetings at his own 
motion, and Avhen requested in writing by three members he 
shall call such meeting ; he shall prescribe tlie order of proceed- 
ings conformably to the object for which the meeting was con- 
vened; he shall preside at all meetings, rule points of order, 
give the casting vote, and, in the absence of the Recording Sec- 
retary and the Assistant, appoint a Secretary pro tern. 

KEEATlNCi TO THE KECOKDING SECRETARY. 

45. Tlie Recording Secretary shall keep an exact record of the 
proceedings, reports not already recorded, and transactions at 
each sitting, whether stated meeting or occasional, to ])e written 
up before the next meeting. 

He shall attest, under seal, all formal instruments issued by 
the Society. / 

He shall receive and at once deliver to the Keeper of the 
Museum all papers read at the meetings, unless their disposal l)e 
otherwise ordered. 

All comuHinications (except such as rehite to matters pertain- 
ing exclusively to one of the standing committees) received by 
him in the interval from one stated meeting to another, he shall 
report at the tirst stated meeting thereafter, and at once deliver 
to the Keeper of the Museum; all communications made by him 
he shall copy in a book to be kept for that special purpose, and 
also report as aforesaid. 

He shall keep an alphabetical roll of all the members, their 
names and addresses in full, with the dates of their election, and 
the dates of resignations, removals from the city, expulsions, 
forfeitures of meml)ership, and deaths that may occur among 
them. The roll shall be revised by the Annual Meeting. 

On occasions when a larger (luorum than the ordinary is re- 
quired to determine the (luestion pending, he shall record the 



names of at least ten of the members present; when a vote is 
taken by ayes and noes he shall note the names of those that 
vote. 

He shall notify in writinii-, without delay, each person admitted 
to associate membership, of his election, and those who have 
made gifts to the Museum, of the proceedings thereon, including 
a copy of any resolution or vote passed relating thereto. 

He shall compile and keep a list of all historical, and other 
similar societies in America and elsewhere. 

He shall keep posted conspicuonsly in the room where the 
meetings are held, the names of the officers of the Society and 
" the Order of Proceedings." 

KELATIMr K) rilE ( OKHESPOXDING SECRETARY, 

-tC). The Corresponding Secretary shall transcribe, in a book 
to be kept for that purpose, all letters written by him, and 
report such correspondence at each meeting. He shall deliver 
to the Keeper of the Museum all letters he receives, immediatel}^ 
after he shall have reported them to the meeting. He shall notify 
corresponding members, and non-resident associate, of their 
election, and \'ice-Fresidents of Honor, of their appointment. 
He shall perform any other duties pertinent to his office reipiired 
of him !)y the Society. 

RE LATIN <i TO THE TREASURER. 

47. The Treasurer shall keep regular books of accounts, show- 
ing all moneys and money-assets received, when, frc^m whom, 
and for what object; every expenditure, and its nature, and the 
condition of each fund ; which books shall be free at all times 
to the inspection of the Executive Committee, and of the Society 
when required. 

■48. He shall keep an alphabetical list of the associate, non- 
resident associate, and life members who have become such in 
virtue of election and payment of dues, with the dates of their 
admission, and their address ; and the dates of resignations, for- 
feitures of membersliip, deaths, and removals from the city that 



18 liY-LAWS. 

may occur amoiii; them: and opposite every name he shall make 
an entry of money paid each year. Tliis list shall be prodnced 
at the Annnal MeetiiiiJi;, to be veritied by pnblic inspection; and 
from time to time at the stated meetinjis, as may be convenient; 
it shall be the evidence of membership of those to whom it re- 
lates. 

41). He shall not retain in his personal custody above twenty 
dollars. 

50. He shall not disburse any money except on a proper war- 
rant, and then only by che<ine. 

51. He shall make a full report to the Executive Committee 
immediately previous to the Annual Meeting:, to be embodied in 
their report, at which time they shall inspect his books and 
vouchers and certify thereto, if found correct. 

5:^. hi the absence of the Treasurer, or on his refusal to act, 
cheques ag-ainst the General Fund to pay proper vouchers, signed 
by the President and the Chairman of the Executive Committee, 
shall be valid. 

Hl<:LATIX(i /ro STANDIXCJ COMMITTEES. 

5?). E\ery connnittee shall meet as ag'reed upon by its mem- 
bers. 

A majority of a committee, not including- the l^resident of 
the Society, shall constitute a (luorum; but it shall require a 
majority of all the members of the Executive Committee to 
select a depository, or to displace any offtcer. 

Every member of the Society .shal' have the right to submit 
proposition-; in writing- to any standing committee, and to attend 
the sitting to explain and support such propositions. 

No general regulations prescribed by a standing connnittee 
shall take effect until approved of by the Society. 

UELATIXC; TO THE EXEClTnE COMMITTEE. 

54. The Executive Committee shall hold regular meetings, the 
times of which shall be reported to the Secretary of the Society 
for record. They shall keep minutes of their proceedings. Any 



BY-LAWS. 19 

member of the coininittee may call for the ayes and noes on the 
question under consideration, and require the same to be re- 
corded; also, he may brinii" any (juestion by appeal before the 
Society for its decision. 

55. They shall open an account in the name of the "Missouri 
Historical Society" Avith the depository selected, and all moneys 
belonging to the General Fund shall be deposited to the credit 
of this account. Special funds shall be deposited, whether 
with the same depository or another, to the credit of the 
"Special Funds account Missouri Historical Society," or of 
each " Special Fund " by its name; and shall not be withdrawn 
except for the purpose of investment, or to be used for the 
object for which they were received, and then only on the joint 
cheque of the Treasurer and the Chairman of the Executive 
Committee. 

56. The property constituting the "Endowment Fund" shall 
be kept separate from every other, and the endowment fund 
moneys deposited to the credit of " Missouri Historical Society 
Endowment Fund;" the moneys to accrue from dues to this 
fund, as provided in iVrticle VII. of the charter, as well as from 
any other source, shall be set apart periodically, and lodged to 
its credit. 

57. Every claim shall be presented to the Executive Connnittee 
to be audited : if the claim be found correct, the Chairman shall 

certify thereon : ''Audited, and allowed for Dollars. tSt. 

Louis, 18—. , Chairman;'' and it shall then be a 

proper voucher to be paid by the Treasurer. 

58. They shall report at eacli stated meeting the additions to 
the Museum (except as mentioned in section (U), and how ob- 
tained. 

5'J. They shall compile every year a report containing a full 
statement of the affairs and of the condition of the Society in all 
matters intrusted to their supervision and management, and such 
suggestions as they deem appropriate, and submit the same at 
the Annual Meeting. 

60. They shall determine the manner in which the meetings 
are to be warned, and instruct the Secretarv accordiuiily. 



20 l-.V-LAWS. 

UKI.ATlNi; TO TllK (OMMITTEK ON ARCH.KOLO( J V. 

01. The Coimnittee on Archa^oloiiy shall take care that the 
arclia?olo,oical t^ollections are properly catalogued and classitied, 
and arrano-ed :uid displayed in suitable cabinets; they shall 
adopt measures to increase the number and variety of speci- 
mens, and, as often as there he occasion, report such increase. 
They shall endeavor to obtain information respecting: prehistoric 
remains in the Valley of the Mississippi and elsewhere, by ex- 
plorations and otherwise, and to procure interestinsi papers 
relating to archaeology to be read at the monthly sittings. They 
shall prepare an annual report on the matters intrusted to their 
charge, to accompany the report of the Executive Committee. 

ki;latin(4 to membkhs and membeuship. 

(;:>. Every nomination for membership shall be in writing, the 
name and address of the candidate given in full. Three negative 
])allots shall defeat a nominee. 

C;-}. Each associate^nember shall pay an initiation fee, due on 
his election, of five dollars, and a yearly due of live dollars, pay- 
able on the first day of March ; provided that the annual due for 
any current year shall not be required (in addition to the initia- 
tion fee) of' those elected to membership after the month of 
May. The payment of the annual due shall be an absolute con- 
dition of membership (except in the case provided) . 

If any one shall fail to pay the initiation fee within three 
months'after his election, the election shall be null, and such 
failure shall be reported by the Treasurer to the Secretary for 

record. 

No name shall be entered on the list of members l)y the Secre- 
tary or Treasurer before the initiation fee and the annual due 

are paid. 

Any member not in arrears for dues (or by pacing such dues 
for the current year) may resign by notifying the Treasurer or 
the Secretary, in writing, of his resignation. 

CA. Non-resident associate members shall pay ten dollars once 
for all. 



21 



(>5. The fee for life membership shall be flxed at 

dollars. 

G6. Corresponding- Membership being a grade of honor, and a 
mark of appreciation on the part of the Society, the committee, 
as well as the proposers, shall be circumspect that the person 
nominated possesses the qualifications required by the charter, 
so that his election may take place only in virtue thereof; and 
furthermore, that the honor will be accepted. Corresponding- 
Membership being a free gift, those upon whom it is bestowed 
are exempt from all payments whatever ; but they are expected 
to contribute, at convenience, at least one paper relating to some 
object of the Society, to be read at a stated meeting. 

(i7. Honorary Members, hereafter elected, shall have all the 
rights and privileges of Associate Members, except to vote and 
to hold office ; they shall be exempt from pecuniary liability, but 
they will be under a constant invitation to serve and promote 
the interests of the Society in such ways, and by such means, 
material and intellectual and influential, as their inclination 
and convenience may enable and persuade. 

68. Any life-long resident of Missouri wiio shall have attained 
to the seventieth year of his age, or thereabouts, on the recom- 
mendation of the Committee on Membership, may be elected an 
Associate Member for life, free from any payments whatever to 
the Society. 

RELATING TO THE MUSEUM. 

(ill. All books, specimens, and other objects in the Museum 
shall be classified and arranged ; letters, manuscripts, and 
pamphlets assorted and bound, as circumstances permit. Each 
object shall be numbered and catalogued, and, if a gift, the 
name of the giver inscribed conspicuously thereon. 

Cases, cabinets, and drawers shall be kept locked, and none 
inspected open unless in the presence of the Keeper of the 
Museum. 

70. No manuscript intrusted to the Society confidentially shall 
be inspected Avithout the consent of the owner or his representa- 
tive, but kept in a sealed parcel if necessar}', under safe lock and 



22 BY-LAWS. 

key, until such time as it can be placeil in the jieneral archives 
or surrendered to the owner. 

71. One-fourtli at least of all the current revenue shall be de- 
voted to the increase and extension of the arcluTeolo,s2;ical and 
ethnoiiraphic departments of the Museum. 

In purchasing- objects for the Museum, regard shall be had, 
primarily, to their relation to the history, archaeology, formation, 
construction, and illustration of the Valley of the Mississippi. 

72. Publications, books,' parcels, and all other objects destined 
for the Museum shall be addressed, "Missouri Historical So- 
ciety," and sent and delivered direct to the Keeper of the 
Museum. 

MI SC ELL AX EOF 8. 

73. Any member may be expelled for cause at a stated meet- 
ini»- ; an appeal to the Executive Committee may be taken, and 
on their report the question of expulsion may be reconsidered 
and voted upon without any debate at the next stated meetins; 
the decision shall be finalj. 

74. All money, books, ^japers, and property, of whatever kind, 
that shall come into the possession of any one in virtue of otticial 
position, or membership, shall belong; to the corporation, and 
shall not be held, or detained, under any pretext whatever, but 
duly accounted for or delivered, with reasonable diligence, to 
the person authorized to recei\e the same. 

75. Sickness preventing attention to business, absence from 
the city, or the place where t!iv„ duty should be performed, or 
not being found after reasonable search made, or inability from 
any cause, shall constitute absence, within the meaning of the 
charter and of these By-Laws. 

76. The Society may remove any ofllcer or member of a com- 
mittee at any stated meeting at which there is an election r* 
quorum present; provided written notice was given at a previous S^ 
stated meeting that a motion to remove such person would be P 
offered, and the person, if absent at the time, duly notified 
through the post-office by the Secretary. 

77. No printed matter shall appear on the papers used for any 



BY-LAWS. 



23 



writiiis»',s or correspondence, except such as relates to the Society 
itself; nor shall any one use its imprint for his private purpose. 

78. At the recommendation of the Executive Committee, but 
not otherwise, Honorable Mention may be conferred upon any 
one who has rendered important service to the Society. 

79. When the question is put, all members present shall vote, 
unless excused. 

The presidino- officer shall not allow the time of the sitting- to 
be monopolized by any one member to the exclusion of others. 

AMENDMENTS. 

80. The By-Laws may be amended (such amendment being- 
conformable to the charter, and not impairing or limiting any 
provision thereof, or enlarging its scope) in the manner follow- 
ing : The proposed amendment, signed by three members, shall 
be offered at a stated meeting, and referred to the Executive 
Committee, who shall report thereon, unless for good cause, at 
the next stated meeting. If the committee recommend the 
proposed amendment, it shall be read and voted on if there be 
an election quorum present ; the vote shall be taken by division 
if there be twenty or more members present, by ayes and noes 
if there be a less number in attendance. If the committee 
report against the proposition, its consideration shall be post- 
poned indefinitely. 



SYNOPSIS OF CHARTER AND BY-LAWS. 



Absence defiued, 75. 
Address of publications for Museum, 72. 
Amendments to Charter, 41; to By-Laws, 80. 
ANr{i VERS ARIES to be celebrated, .3. 
Annual Meeting, 32; order at, 43. 

Archaeology: an object of the Society, 2; funds devoted to, 71; com- 
mittee on. See Committees. 
Charter: how amended, 41; parties to, 42; binding on all, 39. 
Claims : how audited and paid, 57. 
Committees, Standing, 25; how chosen, ;>0; by-law governing, .53. 

on Archceology, 29; duties of, annual report, 61. 

Executive Committee: powers and duties, 26; by-laws relating to, 54 
to 60; Chairman of, President when, 19; a privilege of, 78. 

on Membership, 28. 

on Publication, 27. 

new, may be organized, 25. 
Committees, Special, prohibited, 25. 
Correspondence with other Societies, 3. 
Debts prohibited: none can be contracted, 35. 
Diplomas of membership: who are entitled to them, 15. 
Discussions at meetings, 3; on papers, 43. 
Elections to be by ballot, 16 ; of members null, unless fees and dues 

are paid, 63. 
Endowment Fund. See Finances. 
Ethnography an object of the Society, 2. 
Events, important: the memory of to be perpetuated, 3. 
Executive Committee. See Committees. 
Expulsions. 73. 
Fees. See Finances. 

(25) 



26 



SYNOPSIS OF CllAKTEH AND BY-LAWS. 



Finances: how the Society is supported, 34; a trustee for the public; 

all its property contingently vested in the City of St. Louis ; 

debts and mortgages prohibited, 35. 

Gener-al and Special Funds, 36; funds, how deposited, 55. 

Endowment Fund to be created; one-fourth of current receipts 

placed to its credit, also fees of non-resident associate and life 

members, 35; also initiation fees and of permanent membership, 

36; how deposited, 56; how invested, 35; by-law relating to, 56. 

Fees, initiation; annual dues, 63; life membership, 65; permanent 

membership, 12; non-resident associates, 64. 
Limitation ou purchases, 71. 

Income: oue-fourth to be applied to Archceology, 71. 
Bills audited and allowed, .57. 
Honorable Mention may be conferred, 78. 
Keeper of the Museum: how chosen, duties of, 24. 
Limitations on the acceptance of property, 5. 
Mail Matter: how addressed and delivered, 72. 
Meetings to be held, 3; how called, 21, 60. 
Annual meetings, 32; order at, 43. 
Occasional meetings, 31. 

Stated, meetings, 31; when held, order of proceedings, 43. 
Meetings may be held outside St. Louis, 43. 
Meetings: how opened, 43. 
Meetings may be called by the President, 44. 
Meetings: how notifieid, 60. 
Members present af'^meetings to vote, 79. 
Members : who are, under amended Charter, 42. 

Classes of members, 7; associate, 8; non-resident associate, 9; life 
associate, 10; septuagenarian life associate, 68; corresponding, 7, 
13, 14, 66; honorary, 7, 11, 67; permanent, 12. 
Initiation fee and dues, 63, 64; of non-resident, 64; of life, 65; of 

permanent, 12. 
Members: how nominated, 62; how elected, 14. 
Resignations, 63. 

Members present required to vote, 79. 

Members bound by the regulations, 39; may be expelled, 73. 
Roll of members to be kept by Secretary, 44 ; and by Treasure)-, 48, 
Membership: open to the public, 35; nominations for, 28, 62. 
Diplomas: who are entitled to them, 15. 
Committee on. See Committees. 
Museum: to be established, 3: what it includes, 4; no object to be taken 
out, 35; limitations as to objects received, 5; limitations on pur- 
chases for, 71 ; additions to be reported at each meeting, 58, 61 ; 
specimens to be catalogued, and donors' names marked on them, 



SYNOPSIS OF CHARTP]K AND BY-LAWS. 27 

69; Archaeological and HJthnographic departmeuts of, 71; confi- 
dential manuscripts, 70; open to public, 35; keeper of, 21. 

Objects of the Society, 2. 

Occasional meetixg.s. See Meetings. 

Office, term of, begins, 16. 

Offices consolidated, 17. 

Officers, 16; uames to be posted, 45; may be removed, 76. 

Order of proceedings at meetings, i:i. 

Papers, original, 3. 

Personal liability, 37. 

President: term of office begins, 16; duties and powers, 18; to open 

meetings, 43; duties at meetings, 44. 
Proceedings, order of, at stated meetings, 43; order to be posted in 

hall, 45; required to take place on a certain day, 40. 
Prohibition against using private printed matter on official papers, or 

the Society's imprint for private purposes, 77. 
Property to be accounted for, 74. 
Propositions to be in writing, 43. 
Publication, Committee on. See Committees. 
Quorum, 33; duties of Secretary in relation to, 45. 
Reading-Room, 6. 
Removal of officers, 76. 
Reports: monthly, 58, 69; annual, 59, 61. 
Secretary, Corresponding, how chosen, 16; duties of, 22, 46. 

Uecording, how chosen, 16; duties of, 21, 45; when absent. President 

aijpoints one pro tern, 44. 
Services voluntary; but may be remunerated, 38. 
Stated meetings. See Meetings. 
Treasurer: how chosen, 16; duties of, 23, 47 to 52. 
V'ACANCiES: how filled, 16. 

Vice-Presidents: how chosen, 16; duties and powers, 19. 
Vice-Presidents of Honor, 16, 20. 



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